Trump Administration Raises Concerns Over Ford's China Ties in Letter to CEO

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, in a letter to Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley, questioned the automaker's strategic direction with Chinese companies, citing concerns over the integrity of American automotive manufacturing, supply chain exposure, and reliance on technology from foreign adversaries. Duffy specifically pointed to Ford's ties with battery supplier CATL and referenced a framework introduced earlier this year at the Detroit auto show aimed at facilitating the establishment of Chinese joint ventures within the United States.

Ford holds a licensing agreement with CATL to use its battery technology, including the production of lithium iron phosphate batteries. The agreement, initially announced in 2023, has drawn renewed attention amid heightened U. S. -China tensions and Ford's plans to deploy the technology in energy storage systems. Ford, which frequently describes itself as the top-producing automaker in the United States, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In the letter, Duffy acknowledged the intense competitive pressures of the global market but stated that Ford's recent strategic decisions paint a picture of "a foundational American brand actively intertwining its future with Chinese state-owned enterprises." He urged Farley to reflect on these concerns and national imperatives, and to adopt a sensible strategy that prioritizes American workers, leverages allied supply chains, and promotes the autonomy and integrity of the domestic automotive industry.